Film vending machine



Jan. 8, 1952 s; FALK m VENDING MACHINE Filed Feb. 24, 1949 MW. w/r W M w. H

INVENTOR.

MINER 5. F'Abl;

Patented Jan. 8, 1952 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE FILM VENDING MACHINE Walters. Falk, Kew Gardens,iN. Y. T Application February 24, 1948, Serial No. 10,427

This invention relates to animproved v nd-x ing machine for dispensing fresh photographic film and receiving exposed film for developing by the. insertion of coins of the proper "purchasing value and by "the operation "of suitable control mechanisms.

One of the objects of the invention isthe provision of a vending device by which the customer may freelyselectfilm from a variety of stacks of different sizes of photographic filmby'the insertion'of a coinor coins;

Another object of the invention is-the-proVisionof a'machine whichwill have an upper section for dispensing fresh photographic-film at the 7 option of the purchaser, and another-section for receiving exposed film for development and print ing, and coin controlled means for transferring such exposed film froman open receiving chamher to a'closed holding chamber, for delivery to a collector operating over a routeof "stations of similar machines.

A still further object of 'the-inventionds to provide a foldable boxblank; which may be detached from an external supply, and used to enclose exposed photographic film, and which is provided withclassified information to enable the customer to indicate how many prints are re-- quired' for each picture frame of the film, his:

name and address.

It is still another object of this invention to construct a vending machine of the type described which is simple and durable and which may be manufactured and sold at a reasonable cost.

For further comprehension "of the invention, and of the objects and advantages thereof, referen'ce will be hadto'the followingde's cription and accompanying drawing, and to the appended claims in which the various "novel features of the invention are more particularly set forth;

Inthe accompanying drawing forming a mate rialpart of this disclosure:

Fig. 1is a perspective view of the combined vending unit constructed in accordance with the pi'esent-inventionl Fig. 2 is a partial sectional View of: the film" dispensing mechanism;

Fig. 3 is a partial side'elevational view 01 the combined vending unitpartly in section showing a portion of the film receiving mechanism;

Fig. 4 is a detailed plan viewof o'neof the coin receiving members of'the-film receiving-mechanis'm;

Fig." 5 is an enlarged partial "frear'eievaaonai view 'of the vending-machine partly in Search to reveat interior construction.

8 Claims." (Cl. 232-44) Fig. 10 is partial side elevational viewof the combined vending machine, showing the stack of foldable box blanks.

Fig. 11 is a plan view-ofone side of one'of' the foldablebox blanks;-

Fig. 12 is aperspectiveview of one of the foldable box blanksengaged partially around an ex-" posed film.

, Referring to the drawings, which'illustrate the practical construction of the invention, [0 designates a cabinet, having a-main front wall I I, vertical sidewalls l2, a back wall it, a top wall M,

k and a bottom wall l5.

The front wall II is constructed with vertical window openings 16, H, [8, l9 and 20. Behind each vertical window opening two vertical chambers 2| and 22 are arranged, being separated by a partition 23." In these vertical chambers difierent sized photographic film, in sealed packages 24, are stacked, resting upon the coin operated release members 25.

Each coin-operated release member 25 comprises a selector valve 25 mounted under a pair of vertical magazine chambers 2| and 22, and provided with a top bar 21, which is normally disposed directly under the partition 23 so as to retain the packages 24 in both magazine chambers.

The valve 26 is carried by the shaft 21*, which is provided on'its outer end with the knob or handle 28, so that the valve maybe-"rocked either to the right or to'the left. The valve is also provided with a movement limiting arm or finger 29, whichis adapted to engage the stop '30 to limit the valve action in one direction and to engage the stop 3| to limit the valve action in the OPPO- site direction. Either movement is suflicient to allow the valve to move sidewardlyto free the' lowermost package of either magazine chamber.

Further details of the film delivery mechanism will not be given in this specification, it being sufficient to say thatsuitable mechanism is interposed between the coin receiving slides 32 and the selector valves 2'6 to cause the selector valves to be operated when coins of the proper denominae tioniare placed in the1slides 32. Devices of. this. type are generally knowninthe art, and any one;

of such known devices may be employed. Also,

suitable known-mechanism; details of which" are not being included in this description, should preferably be provided for holding the packages above the lowermost one being delivered, in the chambers 2| and 22, during the act of delivering the lowermost package.

A release chute (not shown) is arranged under all of the magazine chambers, and is constructed to cause any package of film which has been released from the cabinet to slide forwardly to the discharge opening 34, in the front wall of the cabinet.

Below the fresh film dispensing unit or section, a pick-up section 35 is provided for receiving exposed photographic film. This section is provided with a series of intake openings 31, 38 and 39.

The openings 31, 39 and 39 have been made different sizes so as to receive film packages of different sizes; however, the mechanism provided in connection with each of the openings is alike in construction and such mechanism as arranged in connection with one of the openings will be described hereinafter, and it is to be understood that similar mechanism is provided in connection with each of the other openings.

Behind the opening 39, there is an inclined wall 49, and a discharge opening 4| at the lowermost point or level of the inclined wall. The discharge opening 4| is closed by means of a U- shaped member 43, which is pivoted at the ends of its arms 44 to the side walls 46 of film receiving chamber 48, which is located vertically below the intake opening 39, there being one holding chamber for each of the intake openings.

The U-shaped member 43 is operated by means of a coin slide 49, which is constructed to hold one or more coins, and for this purpose is provided with horizontal pockets 49 for a large coin, such as a twenty-five cent piece, and 49 for a smaller coin, such as a ten cent piece. The inner edges of these pockets are disposed at right angles to the longitudinal axis of the slide 49. A slot 50 is provided leading to the pocket 49 and a slot 5| is provided leading to the pocket 49*.

The slide 49 is of a thickness corresponding to the thickness of the coins to be inserted therein, and is slidably supported by a guide 52 which extends through the front wall II of the cabinet l0, between the film receiving chambers 48. The coin pockets 49 and 49' open through the bottom of the slide 49 and'the guide 52 has a portion 52 normally overlying the bottom of the slide 49 for retaining inserted coins in the pockets 49 and 49 However, when the slide 49 is pushed entirely inwardly, the pockets 49 and 49 pass the inner end of the portion 52 allowing the coins to drop from the slide'49 to be collected in suitable coin collecting mechanism (not shown) between the chambers 48.

Suitable mechanism is provided for preventing the coin slide 49 from being pushed entirely inwardly except when coins are in the pockets 49 and 49 This mechanism comprises a pair of pins 53 and 54 depending from a bar 55, in aligned positions with the slots 59 and 51 of the coin slide 49. Pins 56 extend upwardly from the bar and slidably pass through suitable supporting brackets 5'! mounted between the walls 45 of the film receiving chambers 48. Collars 58 are mounted on the pins 56 and expansion springs 59 are coaxially mounted on the pins 56 and operatebetween the top faces of the collars 58 and the bottom face of the brackets 51 urging the bar 55 and the depending pins 53 and 54 into their lowermost operative position. U

When the slide 49 is pushed inwardly without coins in the pockets 49 and 49, the depending pins 53 and 54 will ride up in the grooves 50 and 5| against the action of the springs 59 and snap into the pockets 49 and 49. Upon continued inward motion, the pins 53 and 54 will strike the back walls of the pockets 49 and 49 preventing further inward movement of the slide 49.

However, if coins are positioned with 'the pockets 49 and 49 and the slide 49 is pushed inwardly, the bottom ends of the pins 53 and 54 will merely slide over the top faces of the coins, and when the slide reaches its fully inward position, the coins will have passed the inner end of the portion 52 of the slide guide 52 and the coins will be dropped. On the return motion, the pins 53 and 54 will snap into the vacated pockets 49 and 49 The pins 53 and 54 are provided with beveled sides 10 which will engage the inner edges of the pockets 49 and 49 andraise the pins 53 and 54 against the action of the springs 59 to then ride out in the slots 59 and 5|.

Each of the receiving openings 31, 38 and 39 I is adapted to be closed by a pivotally mounted door H retained in a depending position across the opening by a leaf spring 12. A film to be developed is inserted into the proper opening, by pressure applied to the door H to open the same against the holding action of the spring 12, so that the film will rest upon the intermediate arm of the U-shaped member 43. The leaf spring 12 then acts to return the door II to its normal closing position. v v

Mechanism is interposed between the coin slide 49 andthe door II and U-shaped member 43, effective upon inward movement of said slide with inserted coins to hold the door ll closed and piv ot the U-shaped member 43 to drop the inserted film package. This mechanism comprises a bar 13 slidably supported in brackets 14 and having its one end in position to be engaged by the slide 49 uponcomplete inward movement.

A collar 15 is mounted on the bar 13 and an expansion spring 16 operates between the collar 1 l5 and one of the brackets 14 urging the bar 13 into an operative position. A link 11 is pivotally mounted on the wall 46 of the film receiving chamber 48 by means of a pin 18 located so that a small movement of the lower end of the link will cause a larger movement of the top end of the link. The lower end of the link 11 extends through an arcuate slot 19 formed in the wall 45 to a position overlapping the end of the bar 13. A pin extending from the end of the bar a 13 engages an elongated slot 8! formed in the link 11 for pivotally connecting the bar Y 13 and the link 11 together.

A rod '82 is slidably supported in brackets 83 mounted on the wall 46 and has its front end slidably extended through the wall 40 so as to engage behind the door H and hold the same closed when pushed forwardly. The rear end of the" rod 82 is bent downwardly and carries a pin 84 which engages an elongated slot 85 formed in the top end of the link 11, pivotally connecting the rod 82 to the link 1! to be moved forwardly when the link is pivoted.

A stem 86 is slidably supported in a bracket 81 mounted on the wall 46 beneath the rod 82. The forward end of the stem 86 carries a pin 88 which engages a vertical slot 89 formed in one of the arms 44 of the U-shaped member 43 to cause the member 43 to pivot rearwardly when the stem is moved rearwardly. The intermearm 9 i eed member 431 form d atoms:

5 with a slot 90 immediately above the end of the stem 8Bto clear the end-of the stem Bil when the member 43 is pivoted rearwardly.

A link 9| is pivotally mounted intermediate its ends upon a pin 92 mounted on the wall 45. pin" 93 extends from the rod 82 and engages an elongated slot94 formed in the top end of the link 9| connecting the rod 82 and the link 95 together. A second pin 95 extends from the stem 36 and engages an elongated slot 9% formed. in the lower end of the link 9! connecting the stem 86 and the link 9| together. Thus, when the rodBZ is moved forwardly, the link 9| will be pivoted drawing back on the stem 56 and pivoting the U-shaped member 43 to drop the ex posed film resting thereon.

The openings 31, 38 and 39 open through the front cabinetwall, so that there will be unobstructed access to any chamber selected for insertion of an exposed film. While a small film may be inserted in a large cabinet chamber, no one would knowingly do this. because the cost of developing and printing a large film would be charged against it.

The bottom wall I5 is pivotally mounted in a.

position and retained in a closed position by lock mechanism 9'!, to which only an authorized person has the key enabling such person to open the bottom of the device and remove collected coins and such exposed films as have been deposited for developing.

In order to regularize the wrapping of the exposed films, a pad or stack of folding box blanks Ellis secured by a fastener to the side wall Iii-of the cabinet I 0. The customer detaches one of L:

these box blanks, wraps it around the exposed film roll, sealsthe ends of the box blank, and then inserts the sealed package in the proper intake chamber.

Toaid in wrapping the film roll, each box blank is formed with wall forming sections 8!. 62.,63 and 64 forming the body oi the blank. The wall section 6| is formed with a tab65, which is faced with adhesive, and the section 64 is provided with lines for the name and address of the customer depositing the film roll. The section 64 is further formed with end tabs E i and 6d which have adhesive portions 64 to seal against the wall 62 in overlapping relation therewith. The inner face side of each blank is provided with classified information to enable the customer to order the required number of prints and make other necessary instructions. The box blanks are connected to tabs 66 detachabl-e from the tabs 65, which tabs 66 are united by a staple to each other and to the side wall I2.

The operation of the device is as follows:

Fresh films may be obtained from the fresh film supply as will be apparent from the foregoing description. To deposit an exposed film, a box blank 60 is removed from the supply attached to the side wall l2 and the required information is filled in the spaces provided. The box blank is then secured in position around the exposed film and inserted into the proper openings 37, 33 or 39. Coins of the proper denomination are then inserted in the pockets ll! and -.9 of the adjacent coin slide 49 and the slide pushed inwardly. As inward motion starts, the depending pins 53 and 54 will ride up in the slots 5!! and 51 and across the face of the coins, until the coinspass the inner edge of the portion 52. The coins will then dropoutof the pockets 49 and 49 but thedepending pins 53 6 and 54 "will nowbeen the I opposite: side of the pockets dll and '49 so that inward motion of the slide 49= be continued.

Just prior to the time that the slide 49 reaches its complete inward. position, its inner end will strikethe adjacent end of the bar 13 to urge the barinwardlyagainst the action of the spring 16. This inward movement of the bar 13 will pivot the link Hand move the rod 82 forward to engagebehind the door II and hold the same closed against the insertion of another exposed film until the inserted film has been received and the U-shaped member 43- m'oved back to its position blocking the discharge.

Simultaneouslywith the forward movement of the rod 82, the link 9| will be pivoted to pull backwardly on the stem 86 and pivot the ushaped' member 43 to drop the exposed film resting thereon which will then fall downwardly and lie-collected on the bottom wall IS.

*The coin slide 49- is then pulled outwardly freeing 'thebar 13 to'be urged forwardly by the spring 16 to pivot the link "and draw back on the rod 82, to again free the door H, and urge the-stem 86'forwardly to pivot the U-shaped member 43 to its normal position, shown in Fig. 6. On this outward movement of the coin slide 49, the inclined edges on the depending pins'53 and 54- will ride-up on the back edges of the coin pockets 49 and 49 so as not to restrain the out wardmovement ofthe coin slide 49. A pin I00 (see Figs. 7- and '9) extends from the top face of the slide 49-to engage "the inside face of the'front wall H" of the" cabinet I!) to prevent complete withdrawal of the slide 49.

The invention provides a complete photographic film supply'and pick-up service, and is'designed to provide bus "stations, public eating places. small drug and stationery stores, and similar places-with means'for supplying photographic film to customers; without requiring a clerk to serve the'customers with the film or to collect exp'osedfilms; so that films may be developed under professional control, and the required number ofprintsmay be made for a customer at his written order. The folding boxes are so designed asto' enable "the customer to take charge of all details and to complete the operation.

It is to be understood that the filmroll wrappermay be gumm'ed to the film roll package by its 'gummed tab 65 and sold in the vending machine together with the wrapper. In addition to the wrapper sold with the film roll, a pad of wrapperblank 60 may also be provided at the side of the vending machine or at any other suitable location so that' the blank. wrappers may be removed by the customers and attached to any film package.

' While I have illustrated and described the preferred embodiments of my invention, it is to be understood that I do not limit myself to the precise construction herein disclosed and the right'is reserved to all changes and modifications coming within thescope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention, what I clai'm'as'new, and desireto secure by United States Letters'Patentis:

1. In a machine of the class described having a film'collecting chamber including spaced side walls and a front wall, the front wall having an opening of a size to pass an exposed roll of film; a pivotally mounted door closing said openingfa verticalwall mounted between the side walls to the rear of the opening dividing ofia receiving chamber, said receiving chamber having an open bottom communicating with the collecting chamber, a member pivotally mounted between the side wallsand normally closing the open bottom of said receiving chamber, a bar slidably supported within'the chamber to be slid rearward, means for sliding said bar rearward, a rod slidably supported on one of the side walls in a horizontal position behind said door with its front end normally spaced from said door so that the door is free to be pivoted to an open position, means interconnecting said bar and said rod so that when said bar is slid rearward said rod will be moved forward to have its front end contact said door and hold it in a closed position, a stem slidably supported on the said one side Wall in a horizontal position behind said member, said stem having its front end pivotally attached to said member to pivot said member rearward clear of the open bottom of said receiving chamber when aid stem is moved rearward, and means interconnecting said rod and said stem so that said stem will be moved rearward when said rod moves forward.

2. In a machine of the class described having a film collecting chamber including spaced side walls and a front wall, the front Wall having an opening of a size to pass an exposed roll of film,

a pivotally mounted door closing said opening, a

vertical wall mounted between the side walls to the rear of the opening dividing off a receiving chamber, said receiving chamber having an open bottom communicating with the collecting chamber, a member pivotally mounted between the side walls and normally closing the open bottom of said receiving chamber, a bar slidably supported within the chamber to he slid rearward,

forward, said bar sliding means comprising a means for sliding said bar rearward, a rod slidably supported on one of the side walls in a horizontal position behind said door with its front end normally spaced from said door so that the door is free to be pivoted to an open position, means interconnecting said bar and said rod so that when said bar is slid rearward said rod Will l he moved forward to have its front end contact said door and hold it in a closed position, a stem slidably supported on the said one side wall in a horizontal position behind said member, said stem having its front end pivotally attached to said member to pivot said member rearward clear of the open bottom of said receiving chamber when said stem is moved rearward, means interconnecting said rod and said stem so that said stem will be moved rearward when said rod moves forward, and resilient means urging said door into a normally closed position. v

3. In a machine of the class described having a film collecting chamber including spaced side walls and a front wall, the front wall having an opening of a size to pass an exposed roll of film, a pivotally mounted door closing said opening, a vertical wall mounted between the side walls to the rear of the opening dividing off a receiving chamber, said receiving chamber having an open bottom communicating with the. collecting chamber, a member pivotally mounted between the side walls and normally closing the open bottom of said receiving chamber, a bar slidably supported within the chamber to be slid rearward, means for sliding said bar rearward, a rod slidably supported on one of the side Walls in a horizontal position behind said door with its front end normally spaced from said door sothat the door is free to be pivoted to an open position, means interconnecting said bar and said rod so that when coin controlled slide projected through the front wall in end alignment with said bar to push rearward on the bar when the slide is pushed inward.

4. In a machine of the class described having a film collecting chamber including spaced side walls and a front wall, the front wall having an opening of a size to pass an exposed roll of film, a pivotally mounted door closing said opening, a vertical wall mounted between the side walls to the rear of the opening dividing olf a receiving chamber, said receiving chamber having an open bottom communicating with the collecting chamber, a member pivotally mounted between the side walls and normally closing the open bottom of said receiving chamber, a bar slidably supported within the chamber to be slid rearward, means for sliding said bar rearward, a rod slidably supported on one of the side walls in a horizontal position behind said door with its front end normally spaced from said door so that the door is 7 free to be pivoted to an open position, means interconnecting said bar and said rod so that when said bar is slid rearward said rod will be moved forward to have its front end contact said door and hold it in a closed position, a stem slidably supported on the said one side wall in a horizontal position behind said member, said stem having its front end pivotally attached to said member to pivot said member rearward clear of the open bottom of said receiving chamber when said stem is moved rearward, means interconnecting said rod and said stem so that said stem will be moved rearward when said rod moves forward,

and resilient means retaining said bar in a forwardly slid position in which said rod is in a rearward position and said stem is in a forward position.

5. In a machine of the class described having a film collecting chamber including spaced side Walls and a front wall, the front wall having an opening of a size to pass an exposed roll of film, a pivotally mounted door closing said opening, a vertical wall mounted between the side walls to the rear of the opening dividing off a receiving chamber, said receiving chamber having an open bottom communicating with the collecting chamber, a member pivotally mounted between the side walls and normally closing the open bottom of said receiving chamber, a bar slidably supported within the chamber to be slid rearward, means for sliding said bar rearward, a rod slidably supported on one of the side walls in a horizontal position behind said door with its front end normally spaced from said door so that the door is free to be pivoted to an open position, means intel-connecting said bar and said rod so that when said bar is slid rearward said rod will be moved forward to have its front end contact said door and hold it in a closed position, a stem slidably supported on the said one side wall in a horizontalposition behind said member, said stem having its front end pivotally attached to said member to pivot said member rearward clear of the open bottom of said receiving chamber when said stem is moved rearward, and means interconnecting said rod and said stem so that said stem will be moved rearward when said rod moves forward,

spaced brackets mounted on the said one side wall and slidably supporting said bar, a collar fixed to said bar between said brackets, and an expansion spring on said bar and operating between the adjacent faces of said collar and the rearmost bracket urging said bar into a forward position in which said collar engages the foremost bracket and in which said rod is in a rearward position and said stem is in a forward postion.

6. In a machine of the class described having a film collecting chamber including spaced side walls and a front Wall, the front wall having an opening of a size to pass an exposed roll of film, a pivotally mounted door closing said opening, a vertical wall mounted between the side walls to the rear of the opening dividing off a receiving chamber, said receiving chamber having an open bottom communicating with the collecting chamber, a member pivotally mounted between the side walls and normally closing the open bottom of said receiving chamber, a bar slidably supported within the chamber to be slid rearward, means for sliding said bar rearward, a rod slidably supported on one of the side walls in a horizontal position behind said door with its front end normally spaced from said door so that the door is free to be pivoted to an open position, means interconnecting said bar and said rod so that when said bar is slid rearward said rod will be moved forward to have its front end contact said door and hold it in a closed position, a stem slidably supported on the said one side wall in a horizontal position behind said member, said stem having its front end pivotally attached to said member to pivot said member rearward clear of the open bottom of said receiving chamber when said stem is moved rearward, and means interconnecting said rod and said stem so that said stem will be moved rearward when said rod moves forward, said second means comprising a link pivotally mounted intermediate of its ends on the said one side wall and having one end pivotally connected to the rear end of said bar and the other end pivotally connected to the rear end of said rod.

7. In a machine of the class described having a film collecting chamber including spaced side wall and a front wall, the front wall having an opening of a size to pass an exposed roll of film, a pivotally mounted door closing said opening, a vertical wall mounted between the side walls to the rear of the opening dividing off a receiving chamber, said receiving chamber having an open bottom communicating with the collecting chamber, a member pivotally mounted between the side walls and normally closing the open bottom of said receiving chamber, a bar slidably supported within the chamber to be slid reaiwvard, means for sliding said bar rearward, a rod slidably supported on one of the side walls in a horizontal position behind said door with its front end normally spaced from said door so that the door is free to be pivoted to an open position, means interconnecting said bar and said rod so that when said bar is slid rearward said rod will be moved forward to have its front end contact said door and hold it in a closed position, a stem slidably supported on the said one side wall in a horizontal position behind said member, said stem having its front end pivotally attached to said member to pivot said member rearward clear of the open bottom of said receiving chamber when said stem is moved rearward, and means interconnecting said rod and said stem so that said stem will be moved rearward when said rod moves forward, said last means comprising a link pivotally mounted intermediate of its ends on the said one side wall and having its one end pivotally connected to said rod and its other end pivotally connected to said stem.

8. In a machine of the class described having a film collecting chamber including spaced side walls and a front wall, the front wall having an opening of a size to pass an exposed roll of film, a pivotally mounted door closing said opening, a vertical wall mounted between the side walls to the rear of the opening dividing off a receiving chamber, said receiving chamber having an open bottom communicating with the collecting chamber, a member pivotally mounted between the side walls and normally closing the open bottom of said receiving chamber, a bar slidably supported within the chamber to he slid rearward, means including a coin controlled slide for sliding said bar rearward, resilient means retaining said bar in a forward position to be engaged by said slide when moved rearward, a rod slidably supported on one of the side walls in a horizontal position behind said door with its front end normally spaced from said door so that the door is free to be pivoted to an open position, a link pivotally mounted intermediate of its ends on the said one side wall and having one end pivotally connected to the rear end of said bar and the other end pivotally connectedto the rear end of said rod so that when said bar is slid rearward said rod will be moved forward to have its front end contact said door and hold it in a closed position, a stem slidably supported on the said one side wall in a horizontal position behind said member, said stem having its front end pivotally attached to said member to pivot said member rearward clear of the open bottom of said receiving chamber when said stem is moved rearward, and a second link pivotally mounted intermediate of its ends on the said one side wall and having its one end pivotally connected to said rod and its other end pivotally connected to said stem so that said stem will be moved rearward when said rod moves forward.

WALTER S. FALK.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 162,420 Robinson Apr. 20, 1895 598,534 Phelps Feb. 8, 1898 660,706 Knight Oct. 30, 1900 845,865 Fodor Mar. 5, 1907 1,000,613 Lamberti Aug. 15, 1911 1,094,408 Amadeo Apr. 21, 1914 1,736,710 Hulin Nov. 19, 1929 1,949,283 Murtaugh Feb. 27, 1934 1,994,541 Spiking Mar. 19, 1935 2,071,610 Braude Feb. 23, 1937 2,151,672 Ammann Mar. 28, 1939 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 12,758 Great Britain of 1908 

